FIRST GRADE FOOTNOTES



Dear First Grade Families: 4/23/10

Here’s an overview of what we’ve been doing in First Grade:

STAR STUDENTS: Our star students for this week were Chloe Gerstenbacher, Madison Holtz, and Brady Hoppe. Please ask your child what he or she can do to be the next star student in First Grade.

MATH: This week we began Unit 7 – an introduction to Geometry. The students learned about attribute rules, common geometric shapes (square, triangle, hexagon, trapezoid, rhombus, circles, and other polygons). We discussed and identified sides, corners, and faces of many geometric shapes, created polygons with straws and pipe cleaners, and shared the many 3-D shapes brought from home.

Please continue to practice simple addition and subtraction facts with your child at home. Inexpensive flash cards from the $ Store work great! These facts need to be committed to memory as we are phasing out counting on our fingers! Some students are still struggling with the value and addition of coins: quarter, dime, nickel, and penny. Have them count your spare change or make change in the grocery store.

READING: This week’s nonfiction story “At Home Around the World” showcased many different types of shelters around the world. The students got to describe and design their own dream house. We have quite a creative group of designers in First Grade!

BOOK BAGS: Please read them at least 2 times over the weekend and return them on Monday. Feel free to send a note with the books to let me know how they “fit”. Keep up the good work!

SPELLING: Next week’s spelling words will be long i/ i-e words:
nine, line, like, bike, bite, while, funny, hurry, warm, water
Bonus (high-frequency) words: because, cook, front, listen, most,
picture, why, young

ART: We had another busy art week this week. The students put the finishing touches on their bug kites and are ready for the school-wide “Go Fly a Kite” day. The bug kites are proudly displayed in our classroom until the big day.

We also enjoyed a visit from Mrs. Eachus (Mrs. Johnson’s Mom). She helped the students with an Earth Day planting project. We’re enjoying watching our projects grow!

NOTE: PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD COLLECT SEVERAL FLOWER PETALS AND LEAVES FROM YOUR YARD FOR AN UPCOMING “CHI CHI” CARMAN ART PROJECT. PLEASE HAVE THEM COLLECT THE FLOWERS/LEAVES AND RETURN THEM TO SCHOOL IN A ZIPLOC BAG BY 4/30.

SUPPLIES: Thank you to the parents who restocked our snack cabinet! While a good number of students bring their own snacks daily, it’s nice to have snacks on hand for those who forget to pack a snack or to share with the entire class. Thanks again!

UPCOMING DATES:
4/27 – Elmer BOE Meeting
4/30 – Mid-Marking Period 3
5/18 – Kite Launching event
**5/17 – Talent Show ** - New Date
5/21 – First Grade Class Trip to the Philadelphia Zoo
6/17 – Last full day of school
6/18 – 1:00 dismissal/Field Day
6/21 – 1:00 dismissal
6/22 – 1:00 dismissal/last day of school/whole school picnics

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions/concerns. Feel free to send a note in the homework folder or email me at dmahoney@elmerschool.com.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Mahoney/Mrs. Johnson